RALLYE LE TOUQUET – PAS DE CALAIS 2008 RESULTS: Eric Brunson wins his first Championnat de France rally in the Subaru S8 WRC

Eric Brunson overcame the domination of the Peugeot 307 WRC in the Championnat de France to win the Rallye le Touquet - Pas de Calais and record his first ever championship victory.

The three day event suffered from wet conditions and gale force winds as Brunson overcame the elements to end the Peugeot 307 record of sixteen consecutive wins in the French rally championship. Dany Snobeck hit trouble early on with a puncture on the first stage ending any hopes of a win due to the time loss and he would finish the rally second.

Eric Mauffrey in the Turkmenistan 307 WRC stalled twice on the first stage and never got near Brunson then ended up going off and out of the rally on the second day. Local favourite Jose Barbara had been in a podium position all weekend in his S9 and was duly rewarded with 3rd o/a.

Eric Brunson was ecstatic with his win:

I am really very happy. The race was very difficult in these conditions. I attacked hard from the outset to widen the gap and that I managed. My experience in France Cup Rally served me well.

Retaking the lead of the French Championship means that the last two races will be crucial. We will be very motivated and focused! "

The next round of the French championship is the Criterium Cevennes from the 6th to 8th of November.

Snobeck was never in the hunt due to an early puncture:

Brunson scores his maiden win:

A first for Eric Brunson

Mauffrey had a disasterous rally:

48. RALLYE LE TOUQUET - PAS DE CALAIS
1. Eric Brunson/Cedric Mondon (F) Subaru Impreza WRC S8 2:13.56,5
2. Dany Snobeck/Corinne Pleux (F) Peugeot 307 WRC +1.31,0
3. Jose Barbara/Chantal Barbara (F) Subaru Impreza WRC S9 +1.45,9
4. Jean-Sebastien Vigion/Eric Yvernault (F) Renault Clio Maxi +4.29,0
5. Arnaud Augoyard/Nicolas Baudin (F) Peugeot 306 Maxi +5.10,3
6. Kris Princen/Bram Eelbode (B) Renault Clio R3 +7.35,7
7. Xavier Pruvot/Nathalie Pruvot (F) Subaru Impreza WRX +9.13,7
8. Marc Amourette/Gwenola Marie (F) Citroën C2 R2 Max +9.22,0
9. Bertrand Honvault/Adrien Honvault (F) Toyota Celica GT-Four +10.17,8
10. Jean-Jacques Lebrun/Bruno Brissart (F) Toyota Celica GT-Four +10.52,2

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS AFTER CALAIS
1. Brunson 71, 2. Snobeck 66, 3. Augoyard 64, 4. Rouillard 50, 5. Morel 43, 6. Bengue 40.

Brunson victorious: